Injury Update: Atalanta vs Arsenal – Saka Uncertain, Odegaard Out, Declan Rice Set to Return, and Calafiori Status
Arsenal showcased their prowess on Sunday, securing a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
Gabriel Magalhaes’ header in the second half proved decisive, allowing Arsenal to maintain their north London supremacy.
Under Mikel Arteta’s guidance, the team displayed strong performances despite missing key players.
Declan Rice was sidelined due to suspension, and Martin Odegaard was unavailable due to injury, yet Arsenal effectively contained their rivals and posed a significant threat in attack.
The Gunners will return to the pitch on Thursday night, following their triumph in the North London derby, as they kick off their Champions League journey against Atalanta in Bergamo.
This season’s Champions League group stage format features each team playing eight matches against eight different opponents, with two from each seeding pot.
September is set to be a busy month for Arsenal, with their UEFA Champions League campaign commencing against the Serie A champions, Atalanta.
The Arsenal captain was absent from the derby victory after sustaining an ankle injury during the international break. Although Arteta did not dismiss the possibility of his participation on Friday, he ultimately did not make the squad.
This upcoming match poses a significant challenge for Arsenal, who must navigate it carefully while also preparing for a crucial Premier League encounter against Manchester City on Sunday. Here’s the latest on the injury status of the Gunners and Atalanta.
Bukayo Saka – Doubt
Saka exited the match against Tottenham late, with Arteta commenting, “I’m not sure what it is, but he couldn’t continue.” Subsequent reports indicate that the winger may have only experienced cramp and is expected to be available.
Martin Odegaard – Out
Odegaard was unavailable for the match against Tottenham, and when questioned about his potential return, Arteta simply stated, “not yet.” Meanwhile, Norway’s team physician, Ola Sand, has indicated that the injury is expected to sideline him for approximately three weeks.
“Ankle injuries of this nature typically require a minimum of three weeks for recovery,” Sand mentioned to the Norwegian publication VG.
“The MRI results we received from London suggest that there is likely no fracture present in the ankle.
Interpreting an MRI can be challenging, especially with a pre-existing injury, but Arsenal is fairly confident there is no significant damage; however, recovery may still take some time.”
Riccardo Calafiori – Doubt
Calafiori underwent evaluation prior to the Tottenham match but was ultimately ruled out. He is expected to be a candidate for selection in the upcoming game, pending an assessment early this week.
